Lawfare Daily: In Search of a Harris Doctrine with Michael Hirsh
Sep 5, 2024
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Michael Hirsh, a Foreign Policy columnist and expert on U.S. foreign policy, joins to dissect the evolving vision of the Democratic Party under Vice President Kamala Harris. They explore the potential frameworks for a Harris Doctrine amid tensions with Russia and China. Hirsh reviews insights from top foreign policy advisors and reflects on the balance between progressive internationalism and realism. The discussion emphasizes a shift towards a more pragmatic approach in U.S. foreign relations, highlighting the complexities of navigating today's geopolitical landscape.
Kamala Harris's potential foreign policy is likely to align closely with Biden's record while incorporating her nuanced views on national security issues.
Her advocacy for international law and ethical standards in foreign engagement highlights a potential shift toward more principled humanitarian considerations.
The discussion centers around the uncertainty of Kamala Harris's specific foreign policy stance, especially in light of the lack of clear guidance from the Democratic Party. Analysts suggest that to understand her potential foreign policy, one must look at Joe Biden's record since she has often defended his approach for the past few years. Harris is seen as likely to align herself closely with Biden's tenure while potentially advocating for a more nuanced view shaped by her experiences in the Senate, particularly regarding national security matters. The conversation highlights her trajectory from the Senate to the vice presidency, indicating that her policies may reflect an evolution rather than a complete departure from Biden's strategies.
Her Legislative Experience and Global Threat Awareness
Kamala Harris's involvement in the Senate, particularly on the Intelligence and Homeland Security Committees, plays a crucial role in shaping her approach to foreign policy issues. She actively participated in investigations related to Russian election interference, gaining insights into cyber threats and high-tech espionage, which inform her perspective on international security challenges. Her focus on newer threats, such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, indicates an awareness of the shifting landscape of global security. Furthermore, her candid acknowledgment of challenges, such as the immigration crisis, reflects a dual understanding of domestic and international policy intersections.
Emphasis on Upholding International Norms
A distinctive feature of Harris's viewpoint is her strong advocacy for upholding international law and humanitarian standards in foreign engagements. Drawing from her background as a prosecutor, she emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations in international relations, particularly in the context of military actions and arms transfers. Analysis indicates that she may differ from Biden by being more vocal about violations of humanitarian law, particularly concerning conflicts involving allies like Israel. Such a commitment signals her dedication to a foreign policy framework that prioritizes moral imperatives alongside strategic interests.
Advisors Influencing a Pragmatic Approach
Kamala Harris's foreign policy outlook is heavily influenced by her key advisors, notably Philip Gordon and Rebecca Lissner, both of whom advocate for a pragmatic approach to international relations. Gordon's critique of historical U.S. regime change efforts suggests a call for restraint in foreign interventions, while Lissner's work emphasizes the need for the U.S. to maintain a global open system without overreaching ambitions. This combination steers the discussion toward a new trend in U.S. foreign policy, favoring realistic engagement over idealistic interventions. Analysts argue that should Harris be elected, her administration is likely to reflect this pragmatic shift, focusing on preserving alliances while being cautious about military entanglements.
As Robbie Gramer and Amy Mackinnon wrote in Foreign Policy, “If you want to learn more about the U.S. Democratic Party’s foreign-policy vision as the Democratic National Convention (DNC) gets underway this week, you have two options: a webpage that apparently hasn’t been updated in three years or a massive PDF document that is still written as if President Joe Biden, not Vice President Kamala Harris, is the party’s candidate.”
In other words, figuring out what a potential Harris administration foreign policy or Harris Doctrine might look like is no small task. On today’s episode, Lawfare Managing Editor Tyler McBrien sat down with Foreign Policy Columnist Michael Hirsh to try to do just that. They discussed “Preparing for a Less Arrogant America,” Hirsh’s review of the most recent books by Vice President Harris’s top foreign policy advisors, Philip Gordon and Rebecca Lissner, as well as other clues about the shape of a potential Harris administration foreign policy agenda.
